SANFORD - The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Central Carolina Community College will receive a federal Veterans Upward Bound grant totaling $1.45 million over five years to help to increase the rate that veterans enroll and complete postsecondary education.
This award extends the Veteran Upward Bound program at CCCC, which has served veterans in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee and Wake Counties since 2012, through 2027. CCCC's Veterans Upward Bound is funded to serve 125 veterans, and has exceeded the program's objectives during the past four years.
"Veterans Upward Bound helps veterans succeed in going to college or returning to college with support services designed for them," says Dr. Jen Servi-Roberts, CCCC Director of TRiO Veteran Upward Bound.
The Veterans Upward Bound program provides veterans instruction in computers, literature, composition, mathematics, science, and foreign language throughout the year. Veterans Upward Bound also provides workshops on study skills, time management, financial literacy, and mental health/wellness. The program works one-on-one with veterans with intrusive advising, tutoring, mentoring, career exploration, and assistance with admissions applications, financial aid, and scholarship forms. Veterans Upward Bound has a strong network of community partners who also serve veterans if referrals are needed beyond academic services.
In 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act established Upward Bound as a pilot program in response to the War on Poverty. It was the first of eight federal "TRiO" programs to later be authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. In 1972, TRiO expanded to include Veterans Upward Bound, which is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education.
As of 2021, over 3,000 TRiO projects serve approximately 855,000 participants yearly. TRiO projects are in every state and territory in the nation. CCCC's Veterans Upward Bound program is one of only about 60 Veterans Upward Bound programs nationwide.
Learn more about CCCC's TRiO Veterans Upward Bound program at www.cccc.edu/trio/veterans.
For more information on Central Carolina Community College - which is dedicated to providing pathways to achievable dreams, visit www.cccc.edu.